Shays to Run for Senate in Connecticut

Former Connecticut Republican Rep. Chris Shays formally announced Monday he will run for the U.S. Senate, a bid to succeed retiring Sen. Joe Lieberman, a Connecticut independent.

Former U.S. Rep. Chris Shays speaks during a hearing of the independent commission on wartime contracting. (AP Photo/Alex Brandon)

The 65-year-old moderate will likely face a primary fight with former wrestling executive Linda McMahon, who spent $50 million on her unsuccessful 2010 bid for Connecticut’s other Senate seat. He also faces Hartford lawyer Brian Hill, and former U.S. comptroller general David Walker has shown interest in the race as well.

Democrats are currently favored to win the Senate seat. The field includes U.S. Rep. Chris Murphy, former Connecticut Secretary of the State Susan Bysiewicz and state Rep. William Tong.

Mr. Shays was elected to Congress in 1988 and was defeated in 2008 by Democrat Jim Himes.

In April 2009, Mr. Shays was appointed co-chairman of the federal Commission on Wartime Contracting in Iraq and Afghanistan. The bipartisan, independent group is meant to review U.S. wartime contracting for logistics, reconstruction and security into the two countries.

By statute, the commission is supposed to dissolve within 60 days of the submission of its final report to Congress. That report, which is still in draft, was originally due at the end of July.

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